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Evoke appoints new chair as Lord Mendelsohn exits amid restructuring

A bold new era begins for Evoke as its board reshuffles. Can Summerfield steer the company through regulatory storms and financial challenges?

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Evoke appoints new chair as Lord Mendelsohn exits amid restructuring

Evoke has announced a leadership change at the top of its board. Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn has stepped down as non-executive chair and director with immediate effect. His departure comes as the company prepares to release its latest trading figures later this month.

Mark Summerfield will now take over as the new non-executive chair. The move follows a period of significant restructuring under Mendelsohn's leadership, including a major acquisition and rebranding effort. Lord Mendelsohn first joined Evoke's board in September 2020 before becoming non-executive chair in March 2021. A Labour peer in the House of Lords, he previously served as a shadow minister. During his time at Evoke, he led the company through a major transformation, including the £2.2 billion acquisition of William Hill's non-US operations from Caesars in 2022. That same year, the business rebranded from its previous identity to Evoke.

Under his chairmanship, the company reported a 3% revenue rise in the first half of 2023, reaching £887.8 million. However, the business has also faced challenges, such as potential shop closures linked to rising gambling taxes—though no final decisions have been made. In July 2023, Per Widerström replaced Itai Pazner as CEO after Pazner's exit over failures in anti-money laundering and customer verification processes.

Evoke's next trading update is scheduled for 28 October 2023. The company has not confirmed any plans to close William Hill shops in Great Britain, despite earlier speculation about possible reductions. Summerfield now steps into the role of non-executive chair at a pivotal time for Evoke. The company continues to navigate regulatory pressures and operational changes following its recent rebrand. The upcoming Q3 trading update will provide further insight into its financial performance under the new leadership.

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